The application of "omic" benchmark dose modeling in supporting radiation risk assessment

Funding period: 2019-2024
Lead: Vinita Chauhan
Total GRDI funding: $540,000

Scientific knowledge emerging over the last decades increasingly demonstrates that the risk of adverse health outcomes remains uncertain at radiation exposures relevant to public and occupational levels. This study enriches the scientific knowledge in the area of low dose and low dose rate radiation exposure through “omics based” studies and benchmark dose modeling using publicly available transcriptional datasets and through new experimental data. The project applies the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework to. identify early molecular predictors of disease progression and associated doses of biological activity that can be translated to risk assessment. A better understanding of these factors will enable more reliable health risk estimations, which is essential for a robust system of radiation protection. Benchmark dose modeling and AOPs is one of the strategic research avenues of the Canadian Organization on Health Effects from Radiation Exposure (COHERE).